Holidays in Riviera Maya

Grab that sombrero. If you want your beach with a frisson of authentic Mexico on the side, this is a winner. This 30-kilometre slice of Yucatan shoreline from Playa Del Carmen to Punta Allen offers up a less hedonistic kind of holiday than Cancun. OK, the hotels are still showpiece, plush and mostly all-inclusive - so you'll have all the comforts you can think of. But there are two differences. First, there's more emphasis on the simple joys of the beach than in bigger, brasher Cancun and its environs. And because the sands here are backed by low-lying jungle you'll get the tropical touch of swaying coconut palms and reminders of Mexican's ancient history closer by too. Here, you'll find resorts like stylish Playa Del Carmen and quiet havens like Puerto Aventuras. All boasting pure white sands and ultra-bright seas, they're brilliant for serious sunbathing, swimming and watersporting. And if you're a snorkeller or scuba diver, you'll adore the spectacular Maya Reef waiting offshore. You won't be short of modern-day entertainments either. Right along this shoreline you'll find sports like tennis, golf and game fishing, together with secluded areas of beach perfect for indulging in me-time. And if you ever fancy some retail or nightlife therapy, Playa Del Carmen's cafes, shops and clubs will do the trick. As if this wasn't enough, long-lost Mexico beckons nearby. Travel to Tulum to admire its mysterious cliff-edge Mayan temple. Go gawp at the amazing ruins at Chichen Itza, crowned by a stunning stepped pyramid. And then retreat to your hotel for a moonlit margarita on the sands -an exotic finale to an intoxicatingly Mexican day.

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